Hot water reclaimer

ABSTRACT

Hot Water Reclaimer is a heat exchanger that re-circulates water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater. The preferred embodiment of Hot Water Reclaimer is comprised of at least some of the following: a heat exchanger, a wastewater inlet tube, a wastewater outlet tube, a wastewater bypass tube, a wastewater inlet valve, a wastewater outlet valve, a wastewater bypass valve, a drain plug, a weep drain tube, a fresh water inlet tube, a fresh water outlet tube, a freshwater bypass tube, a fresh water inlet valve, a freshwater outlet valve, a freshwater bypass valve, a clean-out drain tube, a sewer tube and a clean-out drain valve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/809,145 entitled “Hot Water Reclaimer” filed on May 25, 2006.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the shower and household water accessories industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of devices for heating water.

BACKGROUND

Many people perform a morning ritual in preparation for work or school. Taking a shower is one of several such tasks that ideally require warm water.

A water heater is used to heat the shower water and other water in the home and a brief description of how it operates is appropriate for an understanding of the present invention.

A water heater heats water on a continual basis, whether or not hot water is being consumed. When hot water is consumed, cold water enters the tank to replace the hot water drawn out. When the thermostat senses the water temperature has dropped below the hold level, it initiates the heating element(s) in an electric water heater or the burner in a gas model. Even when hot water is not being consumed, the temperature in the tank will fall and the water will be reheated to bring it back up to the desired temperature.

The cold water supply line connects to the water heater, typically on top of the appliance. Instead of dumping the water on top of the hot water in the tank, a dip tube carries the cold water down to the bottom of the tank. The outbound hot water line takes the water off the top of the tank. That way, when hot water is drawn out, it is at full temperature. Only after most of the hot water has been used do you start to get the hot and cold water mix.

When you open a hot water tap, the water pressure from the cold water supply line pushes the water out of the water heater and refills the tank with cold water. As cold water enters the tank, the thermostat(s) senses the lower temperature and triggers the heating mechanism.

Water heaters have a temperature and pressure relief valve to allow water to escape if the water pressure or temperature exceeds the limits of the tank. Tanks normally operate up to 150 psi. A valve is designed to release water from the tank when the pressure exceeds 150 psi. The valve will also open if the water temperature reaches 210 degrees (F) or some other extreme temperature point. The valve typically has pipes connected to safely carry away the water without flooding or exposing people or pets to scalding hot water.

In the center of the water heater is an anode, sometimes called a sacrificial anode. The purpose of this piece of metal is to corrode instead of the tank corroding. The corrosive action of the hot water attacks the anode, extending the life of the tank. Furthermore, the tank has a bonded layer of glass to further protect it from corrosion.

The thermostat on a gas heater is an integral part of the gas control valve and is immersed inside the tank. When the temperature drops, the thermostat signals the gas control valve to supply gas to the burner. However, before it allows gas to flow, the thermocouple must signal that the pilot light is lit, otherwise a dangerous gas leak would occur.

The thermocouple is situated in or near the pilot flame. The heat of the flame creates millivolt current which engages a magnet in the gas valve. The gas valve releases gas in a burner adjacent to the pilot flame and is ignited. If the pilot goes out, the current stops and the magnet disengages, preventing the gas valve from opening.

Gas water heaters must be vented to the outdoors. The combustion of natural gas results in toxic carbon monoxide. In the center of the tank is a flew to carry the gases away to the vent mounted on top of the tank. The vent is critical because it carries the carbon monoxide outside the home.

On an electric heater the thermostats are in contact with the tank, and operate mechanically. The thermostat is like a switch. The switch is on by default, but when the temperature of the tank rises to a certain point, it expands and pushes a small metal rod against a dimpled piece of metal. That movement breaks the contact in the thermostat and stops current from flowing to the heating elements. The upper thermostat also functions as a reset switch and is sometimes referred to as the ECO (Energy Cut Off). Pressing the ECO restores to power to the water heater.

Unfortunately with both electric and gas water heaters, it takes time to heat the incoming cold water to the appropriate temperature. Often, the heating element cannot keep up with the demand for hot water and the heated water inside the water tank is consumed, leaving only cold water. Hot water from showers, faucets and dishwashers utilize vast quantities of hot water. A great deal of hot water is wasted when a faucet or shower nozzle is opened and the water flows down the drain after use.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, inexpensive, durable, safe and effective device for heating incoming cold water utilizing the heating properties from hot water flowing down a drain.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hot Water Reclaimer is a heat exchanger that re-circulates water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a network of tubing and a large heat exchanger cylinder.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device to re-circulate water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive device to re-circulate water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that is cost-efficient to run to re-circulate water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device to re-circulate water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable device to re-circulate water coming from a shower drain or the like to help warm cold water before it enters a hot water heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Hot Water Reclaimer is comprised of at least some of the following: a heat exchanger, a wastewater inlet tube, a wastewater outlet tube, a wastewater bypass tube, a wastewater inlet valve, a wastewater outlet valve, a wastewater bypass valve, a drain plug, a weep drain tube, a fresh water inlet tube, a fresh water outlet tube, a freshwater bypass tube, a fresh water inlet valve, a freshwater outlet valve, a freshwater bypass valve, a clean-out drain tube, a sewer tube and a clean-out drain valve.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A heat exchanger 1 connects to a variety of tubing. The heat exchanger 1 is shaped like a cylinder and has a length of three to four feet and a diameter of six to ten inches in the preferred embodiment. Ideally, the heat exchanger 1 will be located near the drain line to permit the heat exchanger 1 efficiently to collect the wastewater from the drain line. The heat exchanger 1 is also insulated in the preferred embodiment to retain heat as much as possible. Both plastic and metal designs for the heat exchanger 1 are possible. Although the exact size of the tubing is not critical to the invention, one-half to three-quarter inch diameter tubing would be easy to work with in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

A fresh water inlet tube 8 enters toward the bottom of the heat exchanger 1 on one side. The fresh water inlet tube 8 extends the length of the interior of the heat exchanger 1 and returns the length of the interior of the heat exchanger 1 to connect again through the side of heat exchanger 1 to a fresh water outlet tube 9. The fresh water outlet tube 9 connects to the hot water heater (not pictured). A fresh water bypass tube 10 connects the fresh water inlet tube 8 and the fresh water outlet tube 9 and permits the incoming fresh water to be rerouted directly to the hot water heater. A fresh water inlet valve 11 located on the fresh water inlet tube 8 allows a user to prevent the flow of fresh water into the heat exchanger 1 and force the water to take the fresh water bypass tube 10. In addition, a fresh water outlet valve 12 is located on the fresh water outlet tube 9 to stop flow into the hot water heater and a fresh water bypass valve 13 is located on the fresh water bypass tube 10 which can force all incoming fresh water to flow through the heat exchanger 1 when it is closed. Although many materials will work, the fresh water inlet tube 8 is made of copper in this preferred embodiment to permit it to absorb and transfer heat to the fresh water.

A wastewater inlet tube 2 enters the heat exchanger 1 on one side. The wastewater inlet tube 2 connects to the drain tubing coming from a shower, dishwasher, faucet or other water source on the opposite end. The wastewater inlet tube 2 extends approximately the length of the heat exchanger 1 and empties into the heat exchanger 1 in the rear in this preferred embodiment. This layout insures that the incoming wastewater will heat the fresh water inlet tube 8 inside the heat exchanger 1 more evenly along its entire length. The wastewater inlet tube 2 has a wastewater inlet valve 3 that can be rotated closed to prevent the wastewater coming from a shower or other water source from entering the heat exchanger 1. The wastewater can be redirected through a wastewater bypass tube 4 directly to the wastewater outlet tube 5 and into the sewer tube 6.

Alternatively, the wastewater inlet tube 2 fills the heat exchanger 1 when the wastewater inlet valve 3 is open until it reaches the level of the wastewater outlet tube 5 located above the fresh water inlet tube 8. The wastewater outlet tube 5 then takes the wastewater to the sewer tube 6. A wastewater bypass valve 7 located on the wastewater bypass tube 4 allows a user to force all of the wastewater into the heat exchanger 1 by closing it. A wastewater outlet valve 14 located on the wastewater outlet tube 5 can also be used to allow or prevent the flow of wastewater out of the heat exchanger 1 through the wastewater outlet tube 5 to the sewer tube 6.

Several draining devices are also shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. A weep drain tube 20 is located at the rear and bottom of the heat exchanger 1 and leads to the sewer tube 6. The weep drain 20 allows the heat exchanger 1 to be drained when it is not in use. The weep drain 20 allows the entire heat exchanger 1 to drain rather than permitting the wastewater to sit stagnant inside of it when it is not operating. The weep drain 20 allows the heat exchanger 1 to start fresh with wastewater coming from a shower or the like each time it is used.

A drain plug 21 is also located at the rear of the heat exchanger 1 to allow a user to access and manually empty the heat exchanger 1, if necessary, and drain it to somewhere besides the sewer tube 6.

A clean-out drain tube 22 also allows the unit to be drained when desired. The clean-out drain tube 22 is located on the bottom and front of the heat exchanger 1 and has a clean-out drain valve 23 to permit a user to allow flow of the wastewater in the heat exchanger out of the clean-out drain tube 22.

In certain alternative embodiments of the invention, a back flow valve is located at the fresh water inlet to prevent the potential for contaminating the fresh water supply.

In other embodiments, a perforated cleaning tube can also be valved and connected to the fresh water inlet tube running through the interior of the heat exchanger to allow a spray of fresh water onto the internal tubing of the heat exchanger to clean off any build-ups. The perforated cleaning tube would be solid at the connection point to the fresh water inlet tube and would be perforated along its length once it enters the heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention cut along the line A-A of FIG. 1. The heat exchanger 1, the fresh water inlet tube 8 that extends approximately the length of the interior of the heat exchanger 1 and the wastewater inlet tube 2 are clearly visible from this view.

To use the preferred embodiment of Hot Water Reclaimer, an individual would install the device in a home or office. Wastewater coming from the shower drain or the like gets routed into the heat exchanger through the wastewater inlet tube when the wastewater bypass valve is closed and the wastewater inlet valve is open. This permits the heat exchanger to fill with wastewater that is usually warm when it comes from the shower. When the wastewater outlet valve is open, the wastewater can flow out of the heat exchanger into the wastewater outlet tube and into the sewer tube. The fresh water inlet tube permits fresh water to flow through the heat exchanger when the fresh water inlet valve is open and the fresh water bypass valve is closed. The fresh water is warmed by the wastewater surrounding the fresh water inlet tube as the fresh water passes through the heat exchanger and exits through the fresh water outlet tube when the fresh water outlet valve is open. The fresh water then enters the hot water heater warm instead of cold. If the heat exchanger needs to be emptied, the drain plug can be removed or the clean-out drain valve can be opened to allow the wastewater to drain through the clean-out drain tube. The weep drain tube also drains the unit when it is not in use.

The materials utilized for Hot Water Reclaimer may vary widely but will likely include metals and plastic. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of Hot Water Reclaimer can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of metals, plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

1. A water heating device comprising: (a) a heat exchanger having a wastewater inlet opening and a wastewater outlet opening; and (b) a fresh water inlet opening and a freshwater outlet opening on the heat exchanger.
 2. The water heating device of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is shaped like a cylinder.
 3. The water heating device of claim 2 wherein the heat exchanger has a length of three to four feet and a diameter of six to ten inches.
 4. The water heating device of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is insulated.
 5. The water heating device of claim 1 further comprising a fresh water inlet tube entering the fresh water inlet opening and a fresh water outlet tube exiting the fresh water outlet opening and connectable with a hot water heater and a wastewater inlet tube entering the wastewater inlet opening and a wastewater outlet tube exiting the wastewater outlet opening.
 6. The water heating device of claim 5 further comprising a fresh water bypass tube connecting the fresh water inlet tube and the fresh water outlet tube outside the heat exchanger and a wastewater bypass tube connecting the wastewater inlet tube and the wastewater outlet tube outside the heat exchanger.
 7. The water heating device of claim 6 further comprising a fresh water bypass valve located on the fresh water bypass tube, a fresh water inlet valve located on the fresh water inlet tube, a fresh water outlet valve located on the fresh water outlet tube, a wastewater bypass valve located on the wastewater bypass tube, a wastewater inlet valve located on the wastewater inlet tube and a wastewater outlet valve located on the wastewater outlet tube.
 8. The water heating device of claim 7 further comprising a weep drain tube connected to the heat exchanger.
 9. The water heating device of claim 1 further comprising a drain plug located on the heat exchanger.
 10. The water heating device of claim 1 further comprising a clean-out drain tube with a clean-out drain valve connected to the bottom of the heat exchanger.
 11. The water heating device of claim 8 further comprising a sewer tube connected to the wastewater outlet tube and the weep drain tube.
 12. The water heating device of claim 6 wherein the fresh water inlet tube extends approximately the length of the interior of the heat exchanger and returns approximately the length of the heat exchanger.
 13. The water heating device of claim 6 wherein the wastewater inlet tube enters the heat exchanger on one side and extends approximately the length of the heat exchanger and empties into the rear of the heat exchanger.
 14. The water heating device of claim 1 further comprising a back flow valve located at the fresh water inlet opening.
 15. The water heating device of claim 5 further comprising a perforated cleaning tube extending through the heat exchanger and connected to the fresh water inlet tube and having a valve.
 16. A water heating device comprising: (a) a heat exchanger that is insulated having a wastewater inlet opening and a wastewater outlet opening and a fresh water inlet opening and a freshwater outlet opening; (b) a fresh water inlet tube entering the fresh water inlet opening and extending approximately the length of the interior of the heat exchanger and returning approximately the length of the interior of the heat exchanger to a fresh water outlet tube exiting the fresh water outlet opening connectable with a hot water heater and a wastewater inlet tube entering the wastewater inlet opening on one side of the heat exchanger and extending approximately the length of the heat exchanger and emptying into the rear of the heat exchanger and a wastewater outlet tube exiting the wastewater outlet opening; (c) a fresh water bypass tube connecting the fresh water inlet tube and the fresh water outlet tube outside the heat exchanger and a wastewater bypass tube connecting the wastewater inlet tube and the wastewater outlet tube outside the heat exchanger; (d) a fresh water bypass valve located on the fresh water bypass tube, a fresh water inlet valve located on the fresh water inlet tube, a fresh water outlet valve located on the fresh water outlet tube, a wastewater bypass valve located on the wastewater bypass tube, a wastewater inlet valve located on the wastewater inlet tube and a wastewater outlet valve located on the wastewater outlet tube; (e) a weep drain tube connected to the heat exchanger; (f) a drain plug located on the heat exchanger; (g) a clean-out drain tube with a clean-out drain valve connected to the bottom of the heat exchanger; (h) a sewer tube connected to the wastewater outlet tube and the weep drain tube; (i) a back flow valve located at the fresh water inlet opening; and (j) a perforated cleaning tube having a valve and extending through the heat exchanger and connected to the fresh water inlet tube. 